Nigel Greenwood completed a 37-year naval career as the Commander of Canada’s Pacific naval forces. In this role he was responsible for: defence of Canada’s western maritime approaches; generation of ready forces for deployment to international maritime operations; Search and Rescue in the Pacific Northwest and over the landmass of BC and the Yukon; assistance to civil authorities for domestic emergencies and law enforcement; and maintenance of Canada’s maritime defence relations in the Pacific.

In earlier appointments, RAdm Greenwood served as Deputy Commander of the RCN, Commander of the Pacific Fleet, Base Commander of Canadian Forces Base Halifax in Nova Scotia, and Captain of HMCS OTTAWA (FFH 341). His early seagoing experience featured specialization in shipboard air-control and navigation, with service in Anti-Submarine Warfare tactical development and operations analysis as an exchange officer with the United States Navy.

Greenwood’s initial BSc in Oceanography and Physics was supplemented throughout his career with diplomas in command and staff duties, executive business management, and Asia-Pacific affairs. In 2006 he completed an MA in International Relations (with Distinction) at King’s College London while attending the Royal College of Defence Studies. He holds a current Certificate of Competency as a Master Mariner, and is a Fellow of both the Royal Institute of Navigation and the Nautical Institute. He is also licensed as a security consultant and qualified as an Ice Navigator.